Review: United We Spy

United We Spy (Gallagher Girls #6 and last)
Ally Carter
YA contemporary, esponiage

Spoilers for the whole series- proceed only if you've read them ALL.

Cammie Morgan has lost her father and her memory, but in the heart-pounding conclusion to the best-selling Gallagher Girls series, she finds her greatest mission yet. Cammie and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle’s elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie—and her country—forever.

You can read my review of GG5 - Out of Sight, Out of Time here.

I looooove the Gallagher Girls- in fact, I'm kinda planning to do a tribute post one of these days. Equally girly and action-packed, it's a rare series that has more friendship than romance and that actually has kick-ass girls but doesn't feel the need to tell us that - ahem, TMI girls. 

The Bad:

But for the first time I didn't completely buy everything in an installment of this series... in fact, I spent the first bit in utter frustration.

In the beginning, Cammie and her friends go to London to hunt down a member of the Circle's leaders- at the exact second the Circle's splinter group tries to kill him.

A little in, Macey decides to go with her roommates and extricate Preston from Rome with  the adults' utter refusal and without said adults' knowledge. Turns out that's also when Abby and Townsend had the same idea, as did the Circle's splinter group. 

While all these made for good drama and action, there were just too many coincidences that were not believable. Come on, Preston's been living there for months and you all decide to get him in the same hour? 

My other problem with this novel is that I finished it with more questions than I started. First of all, how is it that we don't know of anyone in this splinter group besides Catherine? And why does she even WANT to rebel within the Circle? Did she or did she not really love Zach, that she tried to save him in book 4 but here wanted to kill herself? And in the end, in the final showdown at the Gallagher Academy... why is it she didn't have friends when she was there? What made her so bitter she had to burn the place to the ground? HOW AND WHEN THE HELL DID SHE AND TOWNSEND HAVE ZACH??????

Four words: Not. Enough. Joe. Solomon.

The Good(e):

I absolutely ADORED how all the couples were just couples, lovingly fighting crime together. It's just so frustrating when after books and books of the couple finally getting together they continue to fight and have problems when there are bigger things happening around them (once again TMI, I'm looking at you). Authors, cut them a break once in awhile! Anyway, I liked how that was not the case here.

Two words: Zachary Goode (:

Okay so call me crazy, but you know how I said in my review of GG5 that a scene reminded me of Harry Potter? So in this one, A LOT reminded me of Harry Potter. The whole we're-ditching-our-last-year-at-school-to-save-the-world thing sound familiar? Everything commencing in an epic battle at the school where it all started? It was quite wonderful for me. Yes, #IheartHarryPotter. 

LIZ. Did I not say in my aforementioned review of book 5 how I thought it was a problem Liz didn't get the attention she deserves? So I am happy to announce Liz finally got her long awaited spotlight. You go, girl. I always knew she'd play a major role. 

And of course, just the overall fun and sassiness and feminism I've come to associate with the Gallagher Girls. I love how the series is moved along by everyone's distinct and BIG personalities, not just reactions to obstacles thrown their way. 

Now all that's left is to be sad it's over. Alas, the Finished Favorite Series Syndrome. (Oooh that's good. I'll call it FFSS for short).
Rating: 4 stars (this is the first time I've rated any of Ally's books less than 5)

Book-to-Movie Review: Divergent

Divergent
Book by Veronica Roth
YA dystopia

In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.

GOD IT TOOK THIS MOVIE FOREVER TO COME OUT. NO, PEOPLE, YOU CAN'T MAKE ME WAIT TWO MORE WEEKS THAN THE STATES. NO, YOU CAN'T.

Guess they could.

Anyhoo, every reader knows the secret to enjoying the movie adaptation of a great book is to come at it with low expectations. Honestly, I'm so used to doing that that it's automatic at this point (well, except for The Hunger Games. And they never disappoint). So nah, I didn't expect much. I knew Shailene from The Spectacular Now and she was great there, but that was just one movie and a totally different role. As for Theo, I have never seen his work, same as Ansel (if there was one person I was praying would be great it was Ansel. Dude is playing Gus. I must be dead on the floor for this to work). And believe it or not, I managed to forget Miles Teller was in this movie. I know. I do. I have been shaming myself ever since. I HEART YOU MILES. I'M SO SO SORRY. 

So yeah, didn't think about it too much. I am pleased to announce that I don't think my expectations made a difference= DIVERGENT MOVIE WAS QUITE WONDERFUL ON IT'S OWN.

YES!! I actually liked everything so much more when it was on screen- the dauntless jumping off the trains, climbing the ferris wheel, the fear landscapes. It was all so vivid and exhilarating and had THE BEST SCORE EVER. I can't put my finger on what it was exactly about the music of this film but I can tell you it worked.

BEST SCENES:

FOUR'S TATOOS. IT WAS SO AWESOME I COULD CRY. (DON'T WORRY, I DIDN'T. I JUST SQUEEZED MY FRIENDS' HANDS TIGHTLY AND TRIED TO KEEP THE OMYGODDING TO A MINIMUM. *SIGH* . NO WONDER NO ONE LIKES BEING IN THE SAME THEATER AS ME.)

PETER: YOU WON'T SHOOT ME
TRIS: WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP SAYING THAT??
*SHOOTS HIM*
TRIS: YOU'RE SERIOUSLY OVERESTIMATING MY CHARACTER HERE.

No, I didn't get stuck on capslock.

What can I say? I was thoroughly satisfied by the adaptation. Good fun, lots of laughs. Oh and Theo. Yes Theo. Hello there, sexy.

Rating? 


What did you think?

Review: Maximum Security

Maximum Security (Cherub Mission #3)
Robert Muchamore
Adventure, kid spies

CHERUB agents are highly trained, extremely talented and all under the age of seventeen. For official purposes, these agents do not exist. They are sent out on missions to spy on terrorists, hack into crucial documents, and gather intel on global threats all without gadgets or weapons. It is a highly dangerous job, but these agents have one crucial advantage: Adults never suspect that teens are spying on them.

In Maximum Security, James's newest mission brings him to the sun-baked desert prison Arizona Max, home to 280 child criminals. One of them is the son of a weapons dealer who has been selling U.S. missiles to terrorists. If James can get the kid, CHERUB has a chance to stop the father. Getting into the prison is easy. Breaking out is the hard part.

You can read my reviews for CHERUB books 1 & 2 here.

Once you have, you'll see I looooove the Cherub series. Book 1 was by far the best, but I've really been enjoying the continuation of the series thus far.

What's great about this series is that each mission is totally different and disconnected from the last. Therefore, content-wise, I have very little to say. As usual, fun, wild, fast-paced, and everything a Percy Jackson/ Maximum Ride fan will love. In this installment the stakes get higher, which is always good. 

The new in Maximum Security is this time we get Lauren, James's sister, along for the ride. She's smart and young and cute and adds a fresh perspective. For those nostalgic for Kyle, Bruce, Kerry and Gabrielle- they're not in this one so much, but they'll be back, you can tell(:

All in all? Go get it, especially for a guy reader. Rating: 4 stars

Happy spring break!
Love, 
Esty

Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes

13 Little Blue Envelopes
Maureen Johnson
YA Contemporary, Road Trip

Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.

In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat.

The note in envelope 3 tells Ginny: Find a starving artist.

Because of envelope 4, Ginny and a playwright/thief/ bloke–about–town called Keith go to Scotland together, with somewhat disastrous–though utterly romantic–results. But will she ever see him again?

Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes.

I have only ever read 2 other works by Maureen Johnson- Suite Scarlett and a Bane Chronicles story (a colab with Cassandra Clare). I also follow her on Twitter, and yes, she's as funny as her reputation. So needless to say, I really looked forward to reading this and was not disappointed.

Firstly, the book had a distinct feeling that the author had done some this herself. There were some authentic American-lost-in-Britain laughs that only come with experience, and I absolutely loved that. Of course you can't go wrong with a road trip, but this one being all over Europe and the fact that Ginny and the reader have absolutely no idea where they're going next added to the magic and unpredictability of the story.

Character wise, this book was just fascinating! Ginny meets regular people, artists, hermits, tourists, and plain old crazies from all over the world, each of whom could have had their own story. There was lots of depth and development and subplot that made the novel more and more intriguing as you kept going. 

Dialogue and romance were flawless. No insta-love, but some insta-lust- very realistically teenagery. Keith was actually hysterical, but not in the typical bad-boy way. Reminded me a little of Puck from The Sisters Grimm series of The Iron Fey series (Puck seems to have a similar personality wherever he appears:)) I loved how he showed up when he was needed, but ultimately it was Ginny's journey and she did most of it on her own.

Overall, 13 Little Blue Envelopes is a work of art, and I'm really looking forward to reading The Last Little Blue Envelope! Recommended for everyone! Rating: 4.5 stars

Love, Esty                                                                                                                                               

Stacking the Shelves and The Sunday Post!

Stacking the Shelves and The Sunday Post are weekly memes hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
Haven't done this in a while! Lots to show you!

Bought:
Copy of The Wave SIGNED by Ron Jones!

He came and spoke at my friends' school and I went to hear him... really interesting! One of the teacher's was accompanying him with a guitar, which is the doodle he drew^^^. In case you don't know, Ron Jones is the teacher who carried out the wave experiment in his classroom in the 60's. If you haven't heard his story, please hurry and watch the movie/read the book!

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

You can read my review of Losing Hope here. So excited for Sky's story!! 

The Banshee's Embrace by Victoria Richards

Borrowed:

From the store I work at - To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel

Seeing as I've been dancing longer than I haven't, this book caught my eye. It'll also be my first graphic novel since the days I used to read Archie Comics (do those count?).

From a friend: Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

From a friend:  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

From a friend: An Abundance of Katherines by The One and Only

*Attempts to control excitement* *fails* *squeals*

From the library:  Cherub Mission #3 Maximum Security by Robert Muchamore

Overjoyed to have this one- you can read my reviews of missions #1 and #2 here.

Received:
Physical copies from publicist and ebook Netgalley: Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mylnowski

I'm hosting a giveaway for a SIGNED COPY of this. You can enter here(:

From Netgalley: The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

From Netgalley: Dancing Through It by Jenifer Ringer

From the author: Captured Again by LL Akers

Can't wait for this one- you can read my interview with the author and tour stop for Let Me Go here.

From the author: Impossibly True by Shane Morgan

Really looking forward to this one- you can read my review of Impossibly Love here.

From the publicist: Stained by Ella James

Yeah, so basically I'm good for the year. Can't wait for all these!! What did you add to your TBR?

Love,

Esty

Review: Impossibly Love

Impossibly Love
Shane Morgan
New Adult Romance

All Moya Douglas wants to do is study hard, maintain her scholarship, and make her mother proud while attending college. She doesn't have time for a boyfriend or going on dates arranged by her best friend. Moya doesn't believe in love. And she has no intention of ever finding it. 

Branden McCarthy is determined to change her views.
A selfless romantic who's had his heart broken in the past, Branden is fascinated with Moya's personality and hopes to develop something real with her—a connection so strong it'll open her heart. But just when things start to work between the two, Branden’s secret threatens to get in the way.

Will Moya finally do the impossible and give love a chance with Branden, or will fear keep them apart?

I received a copy of this book for the tour stop I hosted back in October and I finally got around to reading it. I'm so glad I did! I absolutely loved the author's writing - her word choices were beautiful.

I'm pretty new in the NA genre, and I recommend this book for other readers looking to bridge into the area- Impossibly Love is totally clean and easy to get through even for a younger reader like me.For a relatively short book, a lot happened in it, which made for a well paced and fun read. However, there were certain plot points that I didn't buy. 

For example, I found Moya's feelings about love really understandable considering her past, but I didn't make sense to me that she was completely adamant to not date at all... with horomones running wild in college, that didn't strike me as very realistic. Also, in the novel Branden discovers some dark secrets in his immediate family that in my opinion should have impacted his character or the plot in some way- he didn't react to the information at all. 

Something I liked about the book was that Moya is black, but that it's not stated directly in the book. Since when is the default white?  You only know because of the cover and certain hints. So kudos to you, Shane Morgan.

Rating: 3.5 stars (So I figured out how to cut the star, but it won't save or copy. Go figure.)


Have a great weekend people, and a wonderful spring!
Love,
Esty